Ronnie O’Sullivan Faces Uncertain Future After Defeating He Guoqiang in English Open
Last Updated: 18/09/24 8:37am
Snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan has hinted at the possibility of retiring following a surprising 4-2 defeat to He Guoqiang at the BetVictor English Open. The seven-time world champion expressed his dissatisfaction with his performance, labeling it as “awful” and “embarrassing,” raising concerns among fans about his future in the sport.
At 48 years old, O’Sullivan faced an early exit in Brentwood, marking his second loss to He this season. Despite recent successes, including triumphs at major tournaments like the World Grand Prix and the UK Championship, O’Sullivan admitted he has been struggling with his form.
“I’m awful, it’s embarrassing. I miss so many balls. I can’t get away from it,” he reflected. “I’ve been missing balls for the last four or five years, but I’m just here to fulfill my commitments to my sponsors.” O’Sullivan’s self-critique followed a match where he initially trailed 3-0, before narrowly rallying back to 2-3, only to see He secure the victory with a decisive break of 50.
After the match, O’Sullivan made a surprising admission about his technique: “I’m absolutely useless,” commenting on his choice to play left-handed during the match. He clarified, “I haven’t got long. I’m not going to deny it, I’m not playing well enough.” The acknowledgment reflects a transformative moment for the veteran as he seemingly comes to terms with his current capabilities.
Meanwhile, He Guoqiang expressed the thrill of overcoming such a legendary player, stating, “It feels brilliant to beat him again. I just needed to focus on my own performance and not let the crowd’s support for O’Sullivan affect my game.” He emphasized his growth in overcoming the fear of competing against top players.
O’Sullivan’s defeat has sparked conversations about the future of one of snooker’s greatest players, adding a layer of intrigue as fans await further developments in his career.
